Lakeshore Flood — Sandusky, Ohio

2020-06-06 to 2020-06-07 · Sandusky, Ohio

Event narrative

Just before midnight on the evening of the 6th the water level observed at the Toledo NOS station was 74 inches above normal water level.

At Marblehead station the water levels peaked at 69.6 inches around 7 PM in the evening of the 5th. The water levels rose again two more times, first around noon on the 6th peaking at 68 inches and again to 68.5 inches between 10 PM and 2 AM on the 7th.

Low lying flooding was observed along area beaches and marinas.

Wider weather episode

On the evening of the 5th a strong cold front crossed over Lake Erie and switched winds to the northwest overnight with gusts to 30 knots. Winds gradually backed to the northeast during the day of the 6th as high pressure built over the Great Lakes Region. Speeds were generally 10 to 15 knots with gusts around 20 knots. East northeast winds persisted through the 7th. As a result, water built up on the western basin exasperating beach erosion and lakeshore flooding in already record Lake Erie water levels.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 890619. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.